Step into a quiet corner of Ukyo ku, just beyond Ninna ji Temple, where a traditional Kyoto house welcomes you.

Inside, soft light filters through shoji screens onto the tatami floors, and the gentle, grassy aroma of freshly whisked matcha fills the air.

Your host, a trained therapist, discovered the tea ceremony as a way to bring balance to mind and body. Over years of practice, she learned how the steady rhythm of preparing tea can calm the mind and restore a sense of peace.

This private session was created so families and first-time guests can experience that feeling without pressure or rigid formality.

Before the ceremony starts, guests will visit a private garden for photos. Japanese umbrellas and playful props like swords make it easy to create fun poses. Guests who rent a kimono can enhance their look, but even without one, you can still take pictures with a katana or an umbrella.

This "Memorable Photo Support" will have the host take photos and videos of guests enjoying the tea ceremony on their phone (SLR cameras are not included). Soft, filtered light and the garden’s calm make for unforgettable family portraits.

Next, sit comfortably on chairs or tatami and discover the story of chado, the way of tea, and the spirit of wa kei sei jaku: harmony, respect, purity, and tranquility. The host will explain the difference between matcha and sencha and why high-grade matcha is so prized.

Watch as she performs otemae with graceful, deliberate movements. The bamboo whisk brushes the bowl with a soft, rhythmic sound. Lift your cup to enjoy smooth, vivid green matcha with a gentle bitterness balanced by your chosen sweet. Children can enjoy hot cocoa, sharing the moment alongside adults.

Then take your turn at the host’s position to whisk your own tea, feeling the froth form under your wrist. Laughter often replaces nervousness as families share this hands-on, mindful experience together.